Railway switch-rod and rail-coupler



(N0 Model.)

J LOVEJOY.

RAILWAY SWITCH ROD AND RAIL comma",

No. 269,529. Patented Dec. 26, 1882.

WITNESES5 M INVENTOR Attorney RS. Piwlo'Lllhognphor. Wnshingioln o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT f OFFICE;

JOHh LOVEJOY, OF WEST IiEBANOhLNEVV HAMPSHIRE.

RAILWAY SWITCH-ROD AND RAIL-COUPLER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 269,529, dated December 26, 1882.

Application filed October 3, 1882.

(No model.)

Rods and Rail-Couplers and I do hereby deact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and

to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The ordinary switch-rod consists of a straight wrought-iron bar having lips turned over at each end to claspthe outside of the rail. A lip is also welded to the rod on the inside of each rail at a point just far enough from the end lips to 'inclose the flanges of'each rail. This necessitates the slipping of the lips over the flanges at the end of the rail and driving it along the length of each rail to its place. There beingfive or six rods to each switch, those nearest the center cannot afterward be removed without also removing all the others be tween itand the end of the rail. The constant use of switches, and the extra strain resulting from their not being attached to sleepers, like the ordinary rails, is likely to cause the breaking of the rods, or, what is more frequently the case, the bending oftherods and displacement of the lips, resulting in a derangement of the gage, for which there is no remedy except in removing the rod, straightening and rewelding the lips to take up the slack.

The object of my invention is to obviate these faults and to furnish a means for secnrel y coupling the rails and preserving the gage, both simple and effective; also, to provide means of allowing any one of the switch-rods other end. Fig. 3 is a plan view of one end of my device.

Like letters refer to like parts. The switch-rod B consists of a bar or rod of iron or steel of suitable size. At each end, at

proper distances to secure the outside flange 5 5 of the rail A, a lip, a, is turned up. The rod B is cutaway or grooved near each end for passing under or receiving the rail. (See I), Fig. 2.) The inner wall of this groove slopes backward at a point, Z),n'ear the top, in order that the rail may be easily inserted in said groove and under' the outer clutch or removed.

The collars O U are of iron or steel, recessed across their faces to make lips c to slide over the inner flange of the rail sufficiently to securely fasten the rails to the rod.

4 Through each collar is a hole of suitable size to make said collar fit the rod closely and allow the former to be moved in either direction. A slot, d, is cut through the rod, at a properdis- 7o tance in the rear of the collars, for thereception of a wedge-key, D, so as to allow tightening when required. Holes hare made at proper distances in the smaller end of the keys for inserting wedge-pins p, padlocks, or any other snflicient fastening for securing the key and preventing slack.

The same arrangement above described can be used for connecting the switch with the switch-frame by using a similar rod titted with the lip and collar to fasten tothe end of the rail fiext to the switch-frame, the other end of the rod being left plain, but ofsufiicient length to make the connection at the switch-frame. The switch-rod in direct contact with the rails is especially desirable, as it requires no ditching or other preparation of the ground, makes a stronger connection than can he obtained by the intervention of any substance between the rail and switch-rod, and is easily freed from 0 ice and snow in winter.

If the rails require to he removed for any purpose, the keys can be easily taken out, the collars slipped toward the center ofthe rod, and new rails inserted with as much facility as upon 5 any part of the track.

It will be seen that my device is simple, effective, and cheaply made.

WhatI claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A switch-rod slotted to form a solid clutch for the outer flange of the rail, and having the inner wall of said slot vertical, except where cut away near the top, as shown, to give the rail a firm bed and allow it to be easily inserted and removed; substantially as set fort-h.

2. The combination, with the switch-rails, 1c of the slotted switch-rod having Wedge-keysand sliding collars, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' JOHN LOVEJOY.

Witnesses: v v

TIMOTHY MONAMARA, EDWARD J DURANT. 

